By Becky Hardin
Updated Apr 21, 2025
Crockpot Refried Beans are delicious, easy, and so versatile. They’re useful for tons of Mexican dishes, and make a great side dish or dip too!
Homemade Refried Beans
Making refried beans in a Crockpot is so easy! In just a few simple steps, you can have a batch of delicious beans that are perfect for burritos, nachos, or just eating on their own.
There are many different ways that you can use these slow cooker refried beans, and you can make some simple variations to make them exactly how you like them. Make them cheesy, more (or less) spicy, or turn them into a dip.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 pound dry pinto beans rinsed
- ▢ 1 onion quartered
- ▢ 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and sliced
- ▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
- ▢ 4 cups water
- ▢ 2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Video
Instructions
- Place the rinsed beans, onion, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin in the crock of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in the water and chicken broth and stir to combine. 1 pound dry pinto beans, 1 onion, 1 jalapeño pepper, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin, 4 cups water, 2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Cook on low for 10-12 hours, or on high for 5-6 hours, adding more water as needed.
- When the cooking time is up, strain the beans, reserving at least half of the liquid. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the beans, adding the reserved liquid to thin out the beans if necessary.
Equipment
- Crockpot
- Immersion Blender (optional)
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Crockpot Refried Beans Step by Step
- Place the rinsed beans, onion, jalapeño, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin in the pot of a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 10-12 hours.
- When the cooking time is up, strain the beans, reserving at least half of the liquid.
- Mash the beans with a potato or bean masher and finish with an immersion blender.
Variations
This recipe is simple, affordable, and can be tailored to fit any dietary need or preference. Whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or just looking for a quick and healthy side option, these refried beans are sure to please.
- Vegetarian: Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth or water.
- Mild: Remove the seeds and ribs of the jalapeño or substitute with a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles.
- Hot: Leave the seeds and ribs of the jalapeño or add a second jalapeño.
- Cheesy: Once blended, add 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Refried Black Beans: Use black beans instead of pinto beans.
- Bean Dip: Once blended, add 1 cup of sour cream and 1 envelope of taco seasoning. Top with cheese and/or taco meat if desired.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover refried beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Crockpot refried beans make a great freezer meal! They’re wonderful to have on hand to add to tacos, burritos, or tostadas. Simply portion and freeze the beans in Ziplock bags for up to 1 month. Allow the beans to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
You can use homemade refried beans in a variety of ways! Serve them with some rice and vegetables on a plate of enchiladas (or any favorite dish) for a complete meal. Or use them as a topping on nachos (or totchos ), along with your favorite toppings!
more mexican recipes we love
Cheesy Gordita Crunch
Chicken Mexican Lasagna
Mexican Corn on the Cob (Mexican Grilled Corn)
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Crockpot Refried Beans Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
- Immersion Blender (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pinto beans rinsed
- 1 onion quartered
- 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 cups water
- 2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Place the rinsed beans, onion, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin in the crock of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour in the water and chicken broth and stir to combine. 1 pound dry pinto beans, 1 onion, 1 jalapeño pepper, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin, 4 cups water, 2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Cook on low for 10-12 hours, or on high for 5-6 hours, adding more water as needed.
- When the cooking time is up, strain the beans, reserving at least half of the liquid. Use a potato masher or immersion blender to mash the beans, adding the reserved liquid to thin out the beans if necessary.
Video
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
